Seal on taste of true Scotch

New Delhi, July 3 (PTI): Made in Scotland, only Scotland.

Indian Scotch lovers can now savour their favourite drink without the fear of sipping a fake, with a government certification agency agreeing to formally recognise the whisky as unique to Scotland.

The Geographical Indications Registry has granted Scotch geographical indication (GI) status, much like Darjeeling tea was given such status overseas signifying it grows only in Darjeeling.

The tag denotes that a product belongs to a particular area where a given quality, reputation or other characteristics are because of its geographical origin.

Scotch Whisky is the 148th item on a list of 151 products that have been given the status by the registry, a central agency based in Chennai.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) raised a toast and announced that it would be celebrating the move in Delhi later this year. “India is one of our priority markets. There is a huge demand for Scotch Whisky from discerning Indian consumers. It is important that they have confidence in the quality and integrity of what they are buying,” said SWA chief executive Gavin Hewitt.

The association, which accounts for more than 95 per cent of production and sales of Scotch, had filed the application for the GI status in 2009.

India is among the top 10 export markets by volume for Scotch, having imported 40.1 million bottles (700 ml) last year, an increase of 40 per cent from 2009. But the whisky makes up less than 1 per cent of the spirits market in a country where cheaper drinks are top draws.

Scotland office minister David Mundell said in a statement that the UK government had been working hard to protect Scotch Whisky and the consumer from inferior products. “The awarding of Geographical Indication status in India is good news for Scotland and great news for one of its most important exports.”